Earth Day Design Contest: Let The Voting Begin!

April 15, 2015

You decide the winners - choose your favorites below.

Over the last few weeks we reached out to the creative community requesting their inspired interpretations of nature for our Earth Day Design Contest. All the submissions are in, now let the voting begin.You, all your friends, and the public-at-large is invited to vote between April 15-29. Winners will be announced on May 1.

We're listening. Which are the patterns you think are so beautiful you'd want to wrap your gifts in them? We know it's hard to pick just one, so every voter is invited to name their top three favs. And hey, there's a little something in it for you, too. Submit your choice and you'll see what we mean.

News of the contest spread far and wide, we heard from artists from the UK, Canada, Hawaii, and across the continental US. For a closer look at each of the 22 submissions, complete with the artists' comments, read on.

For each entry, we pledged a $10 donation to the Earth Day Network to support their eco-loving mission across the globe. We love their tree-planting campaign, The Canopy Project, and awesome Green Schools Project. We are thrilled and honored to write a $220 check to such a worthy environmental nonprofit organization— truly the ones that are the driving force behind Earth Day every year. We hope this contest grows and we can give even more next year.

Additionally, to do some good near and far, we gave the designers the opportunity to name a local environmental charity of their choice to receive 5% of online sales if their patterns win the contest and go to print. Let's see what they came up with.

Earth Day Design Contest - 2015 Submissions:

Sagar Avani Ikat by Sharon TurnerCharity: TBD"Both designs are inspired by nature and vintage Indian textiles. Sagar silver ikat is a representation of summer oceans, Avani ikat is the living earth beneath our feet."

Indian Summer Flowers by Sharon TurnerCharity: TBD"These designs are inspired by summer and vintage Indian textiles ~ Indian summer flowers is a happy fresh floral that coordinates with the sunshine Shirish tree ikat pattern."

Daisies by 7 Lucky Dogs CreativeCharity: Oceana.org"I started my design by deconstructing the basic form of the tulip. Then applied this shape to form a pattern using just the line art. Also, I looked at current trends before applying color to the designs. My collection is a result of manipulating shapes found in nature to make something fresh and modern for the gift giver."

Abstract Daisies by 7 Lucky Dogs CreativeCharity: Oceana.org"I started my design by deconstructing the basic form of the daisy. Then applied those shapes to a pattern using just the line art. Also, I looked at current trends before applying color to the designs. My collection is a result of manipulating shapes found in nature to make something fresh and modern for the gift giver."

Thistles by 7 Lucky Dogs CreativeCharity: Oceana.org"I started my design by deconstructing the basic form of the thistle. Then utilized those shapes in constructing a complex pattern using line art. Current trends dictated my color choices. My collection is a result of manipulated shapes found in nature to make something fresh and modern for the gift giver."

Dandelions by Penny CandyCharity: TBD"Though technically a weed, dandelions give us our first glimpse of the coming spring, and provide a peaceful pastime on lazy summer days when the seeds can be blown away in the breeze."

Winter Forest by Paper Canoe DesignCharity: TBD"My patterns were inspired by a Winter Forest, when the trees are bare, and the trunks of trees are that much more noticeable. Amplifying the beauty in the base of a tree, revealing how complex it's simplicity can be."

Ocean by Paper Canoe DesignCharity: TBD"My patterns were inspired by the ocean and the sea life within, highlighting the schools of fish that swim beneath the waves. Coral and mint were the colors of choice to influence a bright and summery feel!"

Boreal Forest by Paper Canoe DesignCharity: TBD"My patterns were inspired by the Boreal Forest in the Fall, when the leaves are starting to change colors, and the Tamarack trees are a vibrant orange... the beauty and simplicity found in a crisp fall day, with birds flying high, cloudy skies, and colors aplenty."

Blue Bells by Amy ReberCharity: TBD"I don't have any one thing that inspires me, I take pencil to paper and things just flow out....as was the case with this botanical design. Probably 90% of my designs are botanical/floral if I am drawing freely. "Anything goes," so I can make up my own flowers, leaves, berries etc and then color them any way I want to! I chose the palette for this design based on "Earth Day" colors."

Mariposa by Shannon HayesCharity: TBD"I never tire of gazing at flowers and butterflies. The variety and colors are a constant source of fascination and inspiration. For my patterns, I chose a stylized shape that could be used for both the flower and butterfly motifs, connecting the two, as the butterfly relies on the flower."

Some Like It Hot by Kawaihae Card CompanyCharity: TBD"I was inspired by reverse graphics. I purchased the Hamakua grown cactus from the Waimea Midweek Farmers Market, photographed it, and added the graphic to my card collection."

Colors of the Wind by Jasmine PatelCharity: TBD"When I thought about earth and nature as a source of inspiration, I recalled the song "Colors of the Wind," from Pocahontas. I wanted paint with the colors of the wind as she did. On the front, I used a detailed mosaic style to show the different aspects of nature all fit together. On the back, I chose to go with a simpler, abstract interpretation of trees, rocks, waves, and wind."

Earth Day by Sweet Clover StudiosCharity: TBD"I wanted to integrate different aspects of the earth's beauty by including references and representations of leaves, rocks and the sun then using movement and colour to bring it all together."